Published: August 11, 2007 01:27 am      

Local Wingstop franchise planned

PALESTINE — With his parents both hailing from Palestine, Tyler businessman Bryan Selden has spent plenty of time visiting family in Anderson County over the years.

As a franchise holder for Wingstop restaurants, Selden wants to return to the Palestine area — with chicken.

Selden has teamed with businessmen David Weaver and Jeff Worthen to open 12 new Wingstop restaurants in East Texas, including Palestine. Other cities on their list include Jacksonville, Corsicana, Tyler, Longview, Henderson, Marshall, Paris, Mount Pleasant, Sulphur Springs, Greenville and Ennis.

“What we’ve done is bought a territory,” Selden said. “Palestine will be one of our target cities to go in, but we don’t have a specific timetable for any town.”

At this point, he’s searching for the right location, preferably around South Loop 256 and Wal-Mart, he said.

“We’re frantically searching the market,” Selden said. “It’s where we can find the best locations and deals.”

Wingstop specializes in boneless chicken wing strips in an aviation-themed setting. The company touts its wings as 100 percent all-white meat chicken breast, breaded and batter-coated, in nine flavors — Original Hot, Cajun, Atomic, Mild, Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, Hawaiian, Garlic Parmesan and Hickory Smoked BBQ — with side dishes and dipping sauces.

With more than 550 locations open or under development, sales have grown from $11.9 million in 2000 to $150 million in 2006, according to company information. Earlier this year, Wingstop sold its one billionth wing.

Selden is not a newcomer to the restaurant franchise world, having operated 11 Great American Cookie franchises for 20 years. Likewise, his partners also hold plenty of experience — Weaver has been a Subway franchisee for nearly 20 years, with 12 shops in the Tyler area, and Worthen has owned three Wingstops for the past five years.

“I’ve been a franchisee for other brands my whole career,” Selden said. “(Wingstop) fits a lot of things we like. It’s a really great product and a simple menu.

“We look for a brand that’s growing. This is at a great point in (Wingstop’s) business.”

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Beth Foley may be contacted via e-mail at bfoley@palestineherald.com